Kwara South Youths under the aegis of Kwara South Young Stakeholders has said zoning may not be a proper way to get the best candidate that can succeed the current Governor but by ensuring equal participation from across the 3 Senatorial district.
This was disclosed by the convener of the group during the Youth Summit 2nd Edition held in Pensioners Hall, Omu-aran Irepodun Local Government Secretariat State on Saturday.
At the summit, the group advocated for equal participation from across all the three Senatorial districts to ensure the selection of the most capable candidate.
The second edition drew a larger crowd of youthful participants from across the 193 wards of the Kwara South Senatorial District.
The event featured respected figures and personalities as guest speakers, including Engr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA); Hon. Ishola Kayode, Special Assistant on Digital Innovation to the Kwara Governor; and Mr. Oluwole Gabriel Afolayan, a Public Health Specialist at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Speaking at event, Comrade Lawal Abiola, the convener of the group, stated that the summit’s essence was for youths across the 193 wards and seven local governments in Kwara South to collaborate on developing the senatorial district.
“Kwara South is the largest senatorial district in Kwara State, and we have young talents that can take Kwara to the next level,” he said.
“We realize that there are a lot of differences among us and within us, so this summit, like we did in February for the first summit, is aimed at bringing ourselves together to see how we can collaborate on how we can bring sustainable development to our region.” He said.
Abiola highlighted challenges such as insecurity and job unemployment, noting that such summits enable young people to share information, network, and engage with critical stakeholders and leaders to foster development across the district.
“There is no way we can talk about development without talking about governance because the government dictates and works on principles and policy,” he added.
He commended the current administration under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stating that his achievements could only be sustainable if a successor emerged who would build upon his foundation.
“As youth, we are calling on everybody in the state to support His Excellency in getting somebody that is going to lead us to our desired destination after his tenure,” Abiola urged. He praised Governor AbdulRazaq’s six years in office for opening the state to new things, noting the transformed state capital, and expressed belief that continued development would extend across the state with the right successor.
Abiola concluded that for the 2027 election, the group believes every zone has the right to the governorship seat but emphasized that competence should be considered.
He suggested that the Governor’s criteria for appointing quality individuals should guide the selection of his successor.
“We are not really looking at a politician; we are looking at anybody, whether in politics or a technocrat, that can transform our state and follow the legacy of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” he affirmed.
In his remarks, Hon. Ishola Kayode lauded the organizers for the summit.
“I’m glad to witness this gathering and as one of you, I am honored to be part of the Government today, courtesy of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” he said.
Kayode highlighted his inclusion in government as a testament to the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing youth participation in governance.
“This progressive approach, by actively engaging youth in decision-making and leadership roles, is not only commendable but also strategically positions Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration for continued support, potentially influencing the 2027 elections by fostering a strong base of young, politically active citizens,” he said.
Kayode noted that Kwara South youth are resilient and possess a very qualitative population of talents that can be tapped.
He stressed the need for genuine stakeholder engagement, whereby there will be different action points, whereby people we know what they want to do.
He charged young people with specific skills and certifications to engage the government with actionable plans and timeframes. So that way, they continue to have development both on the economic perspective and even the political drive, as the case may be,” he concluded.
Mr. Oluwole Gabriel Afolayan, a Public Health Specialist, speaking on “Healthcare, Economic and Political Development: A Youth-Centric Approach,” aimed to enlighten the youth on three crucial aspects.
He underscored that health is very fundamental to early economic advancement, asserting, It’s the healthy population, you know, that thrives economically and is able to also participate actively in decision-making and resource allocation.
He enlightened participants on the importance of proper healthcare for well-being and urged them to utilize free medicine provided by the federal government.
He emphasized that the only way to create wealth is through economic advancement.
The health specialist added that political participation is about decision-making, noting that one does not actually need an office to serve the people, but through true collaboration, people can come together and identify issues, and through community effort, bring about that change in our society.
The NALDA Boss, Engr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, who joined the summit virtually, commended the organizers for the insightful gathering. He expressed regret for not being able to attend physically due to unforeseen circumstances and tendered his unreserved apologies.
He seized the opportunity to encourage continuous unity among the youth towards a common goal, reiterating his commitment to supporting young people and the values they represent.
